Bathtub with vertical movable platform for hospitals and nursing homes



Nov. 11, 1969 B. E. STIGER 3,477,069

BATHTUB WITH VERTICAL MOVABLE PLATFORM FOR HOSPITALS AND NURSING HOMESFiled Sept. 21, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. & BRYAN E. STIGERATTORNE YS Nov. 11, 1969 B. E. STIGER 3,477,069

BATHTUB WITH VERTICAL MOVABLE PLATFORM FOR HOSPITALS AND NURSING HOMESFiled Sept. 21, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 n, I --r INVENTOR. BRYAN E. ST/GERATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,477,069 BATHTUB WITH VERTICAL MOVABLEPLATFORM FOR HOSPITALS AND NURSING HOMES Bryan E. Stiger, Rte. 1,Clarernore, Okla. 74017 Filed Sept. 21, 1966, Ser. No. 580,957 Int. Cl.A47k 3/12 US. Cl. 4-185 3 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A bathingtub open atop a removable enclosure includes a vertically movablehorizontal platformwfor supporting elderly or invalid persons and isvertically movable from a position adjacent atop the enclosure down intothe tub barrier. Provision is made for cleaning the tub by pivotallysupporting the platform to the vertical position.

This invention relates to improvements in bathing de vices moreparticularly, bathtubs and the like.

The bathing and cleansing care of elderly, invalid, or otherwiseincapacitated persons is an ever increasing problem to nurses andpersonnel in hospitals, convalescing homes, or nursing homes. invariablythe bathing area is not a part of or is away from the patients room orconvalescing area and provides problems in transportation of patientsinto a tub is a very difficult operation and in some instances ahazardous one to prevent accidents, falls or other bodily injury topatients.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of this invention to provideapparatus which overcomes the problems in bathing elderly or agedpersons or those incapacitated by sickness, disease or injury, orotherwise largely unavailable to assist themselves in bathing.

Another object of this invention is to provide a portable and/orstationary bathing apparatus which is adaptable to be positionedadjacent the patients bed and further includes a hydraulically orpneumatically raisable platform within the bathing tub whereby thepatient can be easily moved from his or her bed onto the platform of thetub, which is at substantially the same level and which thereafter canbe lowered into the tub area.

A further object of this invention is to provide a bathing apparatuswhich can be portable and readily adaptable to existing plumbingconnections within a typical hospital or nursing home room.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a raisableplatform in a tub, raised by either pneumatic or hydraulic means whichis comfortable to the patient and which tub and/or platform furtherincludes means for providing circulation of the water within the tub forits therapeutic effect.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a platform raisedby either pneumatic or hydraulic pressure which includes means foreasily cleaning the tub and/ or the platform associated therewith.

A yet still further object of this invention is to provide a hospitalbathing apparatus which is free from involved mechanical equipment andlifting apparatus around the outside of said apparatus which wouldotherwise hinder the usage thereof.

These and other objects of the invention will become more apparent uponfurther reading of the specification and claims when taken inconjunction with the following illustrations of which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a typical utilization of the bathingapparatus of this invention.

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 33 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 is a partial sectional view showing the platform in positionfor cleaning the tub and/ or platform.

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a bathingtub platform of this invention.

Generally speaking, this invention relates to a bathing apparatusinclusive therewith of a hydraulic or pneumatic pressure raising systemfor vertically raising and/or lowering a platform situated within theconfines of a bathing tub. The double acting hydraulic or pneumaticmeans includes at least one but preferably tandem spaced power pistonsand cylinders along the longitudinal axis of the tub and platform. Inaddition, a circulatory system is provided for providing a whirlpool"therapeutic usage of the tub by a closed circulatory system. This lattercirculatory system is used either in conjunction with the side walls ofthe tub and/ or as an alternate embodiment with the platform. Inaddition, the invention generally includes comfort back support means,means to quickly and efficiently drain the tub and yet provide means forreadily cleaning the tub and platform in accordance with required healthstandards and laws.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, and especially to FIGURE 1, thebathing apparatus of this invention is shown in conjunction with atypical hospital or nursing home arrangement including a bed 10 havingadjacent thereto the apparatus of this invention showing and includingthe bath tub enclosure housing 12 which includes access doors 14 and 16for repair or interconnection of plumbing, drains or electricalapparatus. Also inclusive are typical towel or garment racks 18 and 20as an accessory for use in conjunction with the tub. Pivotally supportedat one end is a water inlet connection 22 which is retained by androtatable, within fixed limits, of upper support ring 24 and lower stopring 26. The inlet further includes a typical connection element 28which may be the slip-on type as shown or a threaded or other type ofsealed connector means. The enclosure 12, in this embodiment, is shownas a mobile apparatus which includes rollers 30, some of which may beupon a swivel connection for ease of directional control duringtransportation from one area to another. Although the invention isdescribed relative to a portable apparatus it is to be understood thatthe principles of the invention are also adaptable to a fixed bathingtub and apparatus such as found in the home and/or adaptable for a fixedplacement within a room and yet capable of maintaining aesthetic andornamental features. As shown in FIGURE 1, the tub platform 32 may be ofa solid material but is preferably formed of carefully smoothed, sandedand coated wood planking which is not subject to corrosion or waterdeterioration or attacked by soaps, detergents, or other chemicals usedin bathing. The platform although providing some opening around theedges between the tub portion 40 further includes openings 34 which arefor varying purposes, e.g., as hand holds for the patients or thosepersons assisting the patients and further includes means such as 35(FIGURE 4) for releasing the platform from its hydraulic supportingsystem for the purposes of cleaning the platform and/or the tub and, ofcourse, for thereafter relatching the platform in its stable position.The platform further includes a series of longi tudinal openings 36which includes a plurality of longitudinally spaced cross-members 38 towhich a back rest shown in FIGURE 2 is adjustably attachable for thecomfort and care of the patients.

Referring now to FIGURES 2 and 3, these sectional views shown hereinschematically describe the invention. As shown, the tub enclosure 12includes an upper recessed tub area 40 which generally slants slightlydownwardly and inwardly to a, common drain outlet 42. Inclusive of thesides of the tub, as shown in this embodiment, are a plurality oftangentially directed outlets 44 periodically spaced around the tub andconnected by a common pipe 46 to provide a circulatory system within thetub enclosure for the therapeutic purposes as hereinafter described.

Longitudinally spaced along the center line of the tub 40 are tandemhydraulic or pneumatic piston support members 48 and 50, the shaft ofwhich is sealed relative to the tub area 40 by packing of O-rings 52 and54 respectively. Outlets 56 and 58 are provided within the respectivepower cylinders 60 and 62 of the hydraulic or pneumatic system, theupper end of piston supports 48 and 50 include support members 64 and 66which are, preferably, hingeably attached to matching platform bracemembers 68 and 70 respectively. Although separate support members andbrace members are shown a single length of each is within the scope ofthis invention. Each of the piston supports includes pistons 72 and 74,respectively, which are scaled relative to cylinder 60 and 62 andoperable by the application of hydraulic or pneumatic pressure to thelower pressure space 76 and 78. The pressure fluid supply systemincludes a pump 80, valve 82, and accumulator tank 84. Although aseparate hydraulic and/ or pneumatic system is herein described, it isto be understood that by appropriate connection with the water inletsystem will provide adequate source of hydraulic pressure fluid, with orwithout pump 80 in some instances so as to raise and lower platform 32within tub enclosure 40.

A pump 86 is likewise provided within the outlet conduit 42 forconnection either with the drain 88 or with the circulatory pipe 46 byappropriate operation of valves 90 and 92. As shown in this view a backrest 94 is adapted to be rigidly supported to the platform 32 by aninterlocking arrangement of lug 96 with one of the longitudinal openings36.

Suitable electrical connections, shown here schematically, are providedto be connected with a windup reel 100 and include appropriateelectrical connection as the case may be with the motors driving pumps80 and 86 or for other means of control such as to solenoid operatedvalves 82, 90 and/ or 92 as needed in the operation of the device ofthis invention. In fact, means could be provided to provide oneelectrical power source for driving one or both of pumps 80 and 86 and/or in some instances, properly reduced in power to provide a means ofself power for transporting the tub enclosure of this invention to otherneeded areas of a hospital or nursing home.

The embodiment of this invention shown in FIGURE is adaptable andsimilar to the platform of this invention and indicated here by thenumeral 110. The platform is adapted to be retained and held in tub 40as heretofore described but adaptable to include a central conduit 112from which as various points along its longitudinal length, a pluralityof conduits 114 extend outwardly at a common angle thereto so as toprovide communication from the central conduit 112 to the exterior ofthe tub and cause circulation of the water therein in a given direction.This occurs by appropriate connection, e.g., of the piping 46 with theinlet to the longitudinal conduit 112. This may be provided by directconnection using flexible tubing or in some instances, as shown, mayinvolve the supply of water to a small jet which interconnects with abell-type connection 120. Supplying water through the jet will act as ajet pump picking up water within the lower portion of the tub supplyingit through conduit 112 and thence conduits 114 into the tub. In someinstances a cleanout plug 122 may be provided at the end of conduit 112as needed.

In a typical operation, the enclosure 12 and its tub 40 is transportedto the bedside of bed 10, or in the alternative, the bed is or thepatient is transported to the tub. The platform 32 is then raised bysupplying hydraulic or pneumatic pressure fluid into pressure cylinderspaces 76 and 78, as for example utilizing pump 80 and its associatedhydraulic fluid accumulator space. The controls for this are suitablysituated at 102 or other position about enclosure 12 Where it would notbe accidentally operated while bathing the patient. The platform israised to .a position where it is substantially level with the top ofthe tub 40. The patient is then transferred onto the platform andstrapped or held comfortably as the case may be. In lowering the patientinto the tub the pressure within chamber 76 and 78 is released bymechanically opening or electrically opening the valve 82 allowing theaccumulated fluid to flow either to the accumulator tank 84 or theatmosphere as the case may be, Bathing water is then supplied into thetub utilizing the nozzle connection 22 or by other appropriate means. Insome instances the water will already be within the tub as the patientis lowered thereinto. In the event only a certain level or amount ofwater is desired relative to the patient the platform is lowered orraised as needed by utilizing proper controls associated with hydraulicor pneumatic system. The back rest 94 may be previously positionedwithin adjustable opening 36 so as to provide support for the patient.In the event that a thereapeutic circulatory water system is desireddrain valve is closed and valve 92 is opened and pump 86 started whichwithdraws water through conduit 42 forcing it through conduit 46 andthence out through tangential outlets 44 in the embodiment shown inFIGURES 2, 3 and 4. If the alternate embodiment of FIGURE 5 is utilizedthe circulatory water is jetted through connection 119 where it picks upadditional water in the lower portion of the tub and forces it throughconduit 112 and lateral conduits 114 where the water is caused tocirculate in a constant direction within the confines of the tub area40.

Suitable electrical connection and drain connection is made throughaccess opening 16 as necessary. When it is desired to drain the waterwithin the tub 40, valve 92 is closed and valve 90 opened, pump 86started and will hence cause a fast withdrawal of liquids from withinthe tub area to the drain outlet.

The tub apparatus of this invention and its accessories must beadaptable to cleanliness and in the event that the tub area 40 and theplatform 32 is to be cleaned, the platform is raised to an upper leveland by reaching through hand opening 34 latch 35 releases platform 32 byhinge connection between members 64 and 68 and 66 and 70, respectively.Thereafter, the attendant may thoroughly clean the tub system andplatform 32, both on the under and upper sides thereof.

Although the enclosure and the apparatus of this invention will betypically manufactured of metallic parts which can be stainless steel orotherwise coated or protected not only for non-corrosiveness andcleanliness purposes but also for patient comfort purposes. Although atypical example will utilize porcelain coated metal it is to beunderstood that some high strength synthetic resins may be appropriatelyused for the tub and enclosure and/ or platform 32.

The invention has been described with reference to specific andpreferred embodiments. It will be apparent, however, that othermodifications can be made Without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention. For example, the invention has been shown and describedrelative to adult usage. However it should be understood that theapparatus and inventive concepts herein are adaptable to infant usage.

What is claimed is:

1. A bathing apparatus comprising:

an enclosure including an upper tub space;

two pressure fluid actuated piston and cylinder means situated belowsaid tub and within said enclosure, said piston and cylinder meanstandemly spaced along the longitudinal axis of said tub, said pistonsmeans including supports extending upwardly sealably through the bottomof said tub;

a rigid horizontal platform slightly smaller than the horizontalcross-section of and within said tub so as to pass upwardly anddownwardly therein, said platform releasably retained to and hingedunderneath to said piston supports, so as to be pivoted to a verticalposition;

an adjustable back rest atop said plaform;

means to controllably supply and exhaust pressure fluid to said cylinderto raise and lower said platform; means to controllably support bathingliquid to said tub space; and

means to controllably drain said bathing liquid from said tub space.

2. Apparauts according to claim 1 wherein said platform includes conduitmeans to cause circulatory liquid motion within said tub area; andliquid circulatory pump means connecting the drain of said tub with saidconduit means.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said pump means includes jetliquid circulatory means connecting the drain of said tub with saidconduit means,

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS FOREIGN PATENTS Sweden. England.France. England. France.

MERVIN STEIN, Primary Examiner GEORGE H. KRIZMANICH, Assistant Examiner

